Less Than Half of Families Surveyed Trust
School Tech Policies and Security Measures
TEMPE,
Ariz. and PRAGUE,
Aug. 16,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As parents send kids back to
school, many face growing concerns around the safety of their
children. While the majority of parents (70%) believe they know
enough to keep their families safe online, nearly a third do not
think schools are doing enough to educate and protect children from
online threats and less than half trust school technology policies.
Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen (NASDAQ: Gen) today
released expert tips to help families have a safe, informed return
to the classroom.
Norton today released expert tips to help
families have a safe, informed return to the classroom.
"We have a passion for creating the products and resources that
students and their families need to stay Cyber Safe," said
Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer
at Gen. "Whether it's securing students' devices with the powerful
protection of Norton 360 or helping parents foster healthy digital
habits with Norton Family, we are here to help the whole family to
be safe so they can focus on learning and thriving."
Secure Your Devices
Securing your device is a critical aspect of online safety. Norton
takes the guesswork out of getting the protection the whole family
needs to stay safe online with Norton 360 plans that come with
Norton Family parental controls and a VPN, or virtual private
network, to help secure private information while using public
Wi-Fi. Installing reliable security software, keeping it up to
date, and using strong, unique passwords can significantly reduce
the risk of cyber threats. Additionally, enabling two-factor
authentication provides an extra layer of protection to ensure that
only authorized users can access sensitive information.
Understand Your School Tech Policy
Norton encourages students and parents to familiarize themselves
with their school's tech policies. By understanding these policies,
which outline acceptable use and potential risks, students can
navigate the virtual landscape confidently and responsibly. Norton
advises students to follow these policies and report any suspicious
activity or policy violations to school administrators
immediately.
Check School Communication App Privacy Settings
With technology more pervasive than ever in and out of classrooms,
it is vital for students and parents to understand the privacy
settings in school communication applications such as Clever,
Classroom Dojo, and Slack. These platforms often store personal
information and facilitate interactions between students, teachers,
and parents. Norton advises families to review and optimize their
privacy settings to control the visibility of personal data and
ensure that only intended recipients have access to sensitive
information.
Familiarize Yourself with Threats like Phishing
Phishing attacks continue to be a common threat in the digital
world. Norton advises parents to educate themselves about phishing
techniques and share this knowledge with their children. Teaching
children how to spot phishing emails, texts, or suspicious websites
can prevent them from falling victim to scams and malicious
activities online. Last month, Norton launched Phictionary, a
dictionary that breaks down real threats and explains how to spot
and keep safe from cyber-attacks.
Talk to Your Kids about Online Safety
Norton suggests using The Smart Talk, an interactive tool designed
by Norton and National PTA for parents to facilitate dialogues
about online behavior, privacy, and the responsible use of
technology. By engaging in open and honest discussions, parents can
guide their children in making informed decisions
online.
"Our kids are increasingly relying on technology at school, so
it is crucial to prioritize online security and protect personal
information," said Krista Todd,
Chief Marketing Officer at Gen. "Our family of trusted Cyber Safety
brands are here to empower families with the knowledge and tools
necessary to create a safe digital learning environment at every
age."
Cyber Safety can also be part of the school curriculum with the
help of Discovery Education's My Digital Life site, which offers
tools and resources for educators to help inspire the digital
citizen in every student. Sign up for program updates and stay
tuned for the release of upcoming educator resources available next
month.
In today's digital age, Cyber Safety is a critical aspect of
preparing children for the school year. Norton is committed to
ensuring a safe and secure online learning environment for
students. By following these Cyber Safety tips, students and
parents can minimize the risks associated with online activities
and focus on educational opportunities.
For more information and resources on Cyber Safety practices,
visit norton.com.
About Norton
Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN),
a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a
family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of
individuals and families with award-winning protection for their
devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services
are certified by independent testing organizations including
AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member
of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at
www.norton.com.
Jenna
Torluemke
|
Benson
Kelsey
|
Gen
|
Edelman for
Gen
|
Jenna.Torluemke@GenDigital.com
|
Benson.Kelsey@edelman.com
|
|
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.